12 months before:

___ Decide what kind of wedding to have - formality, theme, location, etc. Discuss any religious differences or needs.

___ Draw up a practical wedding budget. If someone besides you and your fiancé will help pay for the event, make sure they're involved from the beginning.

___ Narrow your preferences for the date and times of wedding day events.

___ Create a calendar of events to show showers, luncheons, fittings and the like.

___ Create a system to track what you spend and how it affects your overall budget. (Spreadsheet or other wedding software)

___ If your plans are particularly complex, hire a professional wedding consultant.

___ Prepare an initial guest list based on the size of your wedding.

___ Select the members of your wedding party, including ushers, ring bearer, flower girl and others.

___ Shop for and book your ceremony and reception sites.

___ Select and book your officiant.

Nine to eleven months before.

___ Shop for your bridal gown and order your gown.

___ Send "save-this-date" notices to your guests, particularly if the wedding is on a holiday or during the vacation season, or if you pick a destination wedding.

___ Choose and meet with your caterer. Discuss possible menus.

___ Interview and book photographers and videographers.

___ Audition and book musicians, DJs or both for reception.

___ Research and interview florists. Discuss needs for both ceremony and reception.

___ Establish your gift registries.

Eight months before.

___ Contact area hotels and reserve lodgings for out-of-town guests.

___ Choose and book wedding night bridal suite.

___ Confer with a rental company if you need something for not supplied by your ceremony or reception site.

___ Select and order bridesmaid dresses.

Six to seven months before.

___ Audition and book ceremony musicians. Discuss and select play list.

___ Choose menu for reception.

___ Set plans for both sites with florist.

___ Discuss and plan honeymoon with fiancé.

Four to six months before.

___ Start pre-marriage counseling, if required by church or denomination.

___ Research and select your cake designer.

___ Shop for and order invitations, RSVPs, ceremony programs and other related material.

___ Shop for and reserve formal wear for groom and groomsmen.

___ If needed, arrange for honeymoon passports and visas.

Three months before.

___ Finalize your guest list. Prepare two if ceremony and reception guests will differ in any way.

___ Address and mail wedding and reception invitations, along with RSVP cards.

___ Order wedding cake and, if needed, supplemental and groom's cakes.

___ Shop for and buy wedding rings.

___ Shop for and book wedding vehicles.

___ Choose and order party favors.

___ Create system to track incoming wedding presents and who gave them.

Two months before.

___ Shop for and book rehearsal dinner site. Select menu.

___ Discuss wedding hair and makeup with stylist.

___ Discuss and write original vows, if desired.

___ Buy gifts for parents, attendants and each other.

One month before.

___ Review RSVPs and contact those who haven't responded.

___ Hold final gown fitting. Have dress pressed; arrange for timely delivery.

___ Check bridesmaids gowns are ready.

___ Make last-minute adjustments with florist.

___ Confirm guest lodgings. Plan welcome gestures.

___ Send rehearsal dinner invitations.

___ Apply together for marriage license.

Two to three weeks before.

___ Discuss special songs, music limitations and events like cake cutting, bouquet toss and others with reception entertainers.

___ Confer with photographer about desired shots, portrait schedule and those guests and wedding party members to be included among photographs.

___ Choose primary contact for photographer during wedding day. Have them confer ahead of time.

___ Confirm honeymoon plans and reservations. Pick up tickets.

One week before.

___ Confirm head count and arrangements with rehearsal dinner site.

___ Give final guest count to caterer and reception site. Ask for "extra plates" count.

___ Prepare seating chart and table or place cards. Give them to caterer.

___ Confirm arrangements with wedding vendors. Provide detailed timelines to each of all wedding day events.

___ Supply reception site manager with schedule of vendor deliveries and setup times, as well as list of vendor needs.

___Wear in wedding shoes.

Two to three days before.

___ Confer with wedding party about ceremony rehearsal.

___ Groom and groomsmen go for final fitting and pick up his formal wear.

___ Review pickup locations and times with transportation service.

___ Review details with managers of ceremony and reception sites.

___ Discuss respective responsibilities and expectations with best man and maid/matron of honor.

One day before.

___ Ask attendants to take bridal gown to cleaner and to return groom's formal wear on first business day following celebration.

___ Give emergency phone number to all vendors and site managers.

___ Rehearse ceremony with wedding party, participants, musicians, and officiant.

___ Have welcoming gifts placed in guests' lodgings.

___ Collect and take ceremony accessories to the site so they aren't left behind.

___ Confer with ushers about ceremony seating.

___ Attend rehearsal dinner. Present gifts to attendants and parents.

Your wedding day.

___ Distribute detailed schedule of events to attendants, ushers and family members.

___ Give wedding rings to the best man and/or maid of honor.

___ Give officiant's fee to best man to be presented after the ceremony.

___ Stick to your schedule of events, but don't let minor lapses overwhelm you.

___ Have a good time with those you hold near and dear, particularly your new spouse.

___Make sure you have arranged for someone to take the gifts home for you.